GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PERSONNEL
TITLE: COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
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COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
1008.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides general guidelines to assist in minimizing the risk of department members contracting and/or spreading communicable diseases.
1008.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE - A human disease caused by microorganisms that are present in and transmissible through human blood, bodily fluid, tissue, or by breathing or coughing. These diseases commonly include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV), HIV and tuberculosis.
EXPOSURE - When an eye, the mouth, a mucous membrane or non-intact skin comes into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials, or when these substances are injected or infused under the skin; when an individual is exposed to a person who has a disease that can be passed through the air by talking, sneezing or coughing (e.g., tuberculosis), or the individual is in an area that was occupied by such a person. Exposure only includes those instances that occur due to a member’s position at the Lincoln Police Department. (See the exposure control plan for further details to assist in identifying whether an exposure has occurred.)
1008.2 POLICY
The Lincoln Police Department is committed to providing a safe work environment for its members. Members should be aware that they are ultimately responsible for their own health and safety.
1008.3 EXPOSURE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION
1008.3.1 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
All members are expected to use good judgment and follow training and procedures related to mitigating the risks associated with communicable disease. This includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Stocking disposable gloves, antiseptic hand cleanser, CPR masks or other specialized equipment in the work area or department vehicles, as applicable.
(b) Wearing department-approved disposable gloves when contact with blood, other potentially infectious materials, mucous membranes and non-intact skin can be reasonably anticipated.
(c) Washing hands immediately or as soon as feasible after removal of gloves or other PPE.
(d) Treating all human blood and bodily fluids/tissue as if it is known to be infectious for a communicable disease.
(e) Using an appropriate barrier device when providing CPR.
(f) Using a face mask or shield if it is reasonable to anticipate an exposure to an airborne transmissible disease.
(g) Decontaminating non-disposable equipment (e.g., flashlight, control devices, clothing, portable radio) as soon as possible if the equipment is a potential source of exposure.
Clothing that has been contaminated by blood or other potentially infectious materials should be removed immediately or as soon as feasible and stored/decontaminated appropriately.
(h) Handling all sharps and items that cut or puncture (e.g., needles, broken glass, razors, knives) cautiously and using puncture-resistant containers for their storage and/or transportation.
(i) Avoiding eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, or handling contact lenses where there is a reasonable likelihood of exposure.
(j) Disposing of biohazardous waste appropriately or labeling biohazardous material properly when it is stored.
1008.3.2 IMMUNIZATIONS
Members who could be exposed to HBV due to their positions may receive the HBV vaccine and any routine booster at no cost.
1008.4 POST EXPOSURE
1008.4.1 INITIAL POST-EXPOSURE STEPS
Members who experience an exposure or suspected exposure shall:
(a) Begin decontamination procedures immediately (e.g., wash hands and any other skin with soap and water, flush mucous membranes with water).
(b) Obtain medical attention as appropriate.
(c) Notify a supervisor as soon as practical.
1008.4.2 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The supervisor on-duty shall investigate every exposure or suspected exposure that occurs as soon as possible following the incident. The supervisor shall ensure the following information is documented:
(a) Name of the member exposed
(b) Date and time of incident
(c) Location of incident
(d) Potentially infectious materials involved and the source of exposure (e.g., identification of the person who may have been the source)
(e) Work being done during exposure
(f) How the incident occurred or was caused
(g) PPE in use at the time of the incident
(h) Actions taken post-event (e.g., clean-up, notifications)
The supervisor shall advise the member that disclosing the identity and/or infectious status of a source to the public or to anyone who is not involved in the follow-up process is prohibited. The supervisor should complete the incident documentation in conjunction with other reporting requirements that may apply.
1008.4.3 MEDICAL CONSULTATION, EVALUATION AND TREATMENT
Department members shall have the opportunity to have a confidential medical evaluation immediately after an exposure and follow-up evaluations as necessary. A request should be made for a written opinion/evaluation from the treating medical professional that contains only the following information:
(a) Whether the member has been informed of the results of the evaluation.
(b) Whether the member has been notified of any medical conditions resulting from exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials which require further evaluation or treatment.
No other information should be requested or accepted.
1008.4.4 COUNSELING
The Department shall provide the member, and his/her family if necessary, the opportunity for counseling and consultation regarding the exposure.
1008.4.5 SOURCE TESTING
Testing a person for communicable diseases when that person was the source of an exposure should be done when it is desired by the exposed member or when it is otherwise appropriate. It is the responsibility of the supervisor overseeing an exposed member to conduct source testing to ensure its completion.
Source testing may be achieved by:
(a) Obtaining consent from the individual.
(b) Seeking assistance from the state or county health officer for a petition and order to require compulsory testing for those that refuse to submit (Ala. Code § 22-11A-24).
Since there is the potential for overlap between the different manners in which source testing may occur, the supervisoris responsible for coordinating the testing to prevent unnecessary or duplicate testing.
1008.5 CONFIDENTIALITY OF REPORTS
Medical information shall remain in confidential files and shall not be disclosed to anyone without the member’s written consent (except as required by law). Test results from persons who may have been the source of an exposure are to be kept confidential as well.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
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